Nico Rosberg

Germany

Hard to believe that Nico Rosberg’s motorsport career was almost over before it began, but previous to the 29 year old German setting foot anywhere near a racing car, it was on the pro sports field – in tennis – that he wanted to make his name.As the saying goes, you can’t fight destiny though, and the years of growing up amongst the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, combined with the welcome encouragement from his father – who was F1 World Champion in 1982 - landed Nico in the hot seat and pushing the gas pedal.After a successful stint in Karting, where he raced alongside Lewis Hamilton in the European and World championships, Nico stepped up to cars in 2002. In his rookie year, the young German locked down the national Formula BMW title. Graduating to a full Formula 3 campaign the following season, Nico got his first taste of top drawer competition. By 2005, aged 20, Nico cemented his meteoric rise with the inaugural GP2 title, and a full-time race contract in F1 for the following season.Four frustrating seasons followed, where despite showing huge pace over a single lap in qualifying, Nico was only able to pull together 75 points, two podiums and two fastest laps. In 2010 it all changed however. Mercedes came knocking with an offer the young German couldn’t refuse. Joining seven time world champion Michael Schumacher and Monster Energy, Nico had the chance to establish himself in a manufacturer backed team. Racing for the Silver Arrows has only seen Nico go from strength to strength. In his first full season Nico eclipsed the results of his last four seasons with Williams; three podiums and 142 points. The results continued to roll in throughout the next four seasons. Culminating in a massive year in 2014 scoring five wins, 15 podiums, and 11 pole positions. Nico also took the title fight for the drivers’ championship right down to the wire, narrowly conceding to Lewis in the final race.2015 is surely set to be his best yet. Continuing in the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Team, and sharing a garage with Lewis Hamilton again, Nico has his eyes on not letting World Championship glory slip away again. Watch this space.